Hurricanes? In Michigan? Sort of.

We’re in the peak of hurricane season, with the remnants of Gordon hanging out in Alabama, Florence expected to strengthen over the weekend as it approaches the east coast, and two unnamed “tropical disturbances” still further out. But what does that mean for you, in your homes in Michigan and Indiana, as you try to take advantage of the last few nice weekends of the year before we enter the 6+ months that is winter in the midwest?

It means more than you think.

First, there’s always a big deal made when a hurricane or other tropical storm “makes landfall” like that’s the end of the story. While the bulk of the damage is done in the area a storm hits land, and the storm immediately weakens considerably, it doesn’t just vanish. Inland storms can join up with existing unstable weather systems and continue on with the jetstream to dump water across the country.

Second, research has shown that flooding from hurricanes can affect even 10-15 states away as rivers flood - that water doesn’t just disappear, it continues along waterways, raising water levels in places that never saw a drop of rain. Michigan is within 10 states of basically the entire Atlantic and Gulf coastlines.

While it’s true that we miss a lot of the more interesting weather systems by not living on a coast, all of us here in Michigan and Indiana definitely still feel the affects. Keep an eye on the approaching tropical systems, and get ready for some rain.